RaboDirect Rebels vs. Brumbies: showing support for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal
RaboDirect to donate $3,000 tries at tonight’s game
RaboDirect, principle sponsor of the Rebels, today announced it will donate thousands to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, committing to give $3,000 per try scored by either team during tonight’s clash against the Brumbies at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
Greg McAweeney, General Manager RaboDirect, said: “The recent earthquake in Christchurch is truly horrific and our thoughts and prayers are with all those suffering as a result. We want to show our support and solidarity, so we’re calling on the Rebels to help us out and get across the line as many times as they can tonight. Beating the Brumbies will be no easy feat but with exciting players on both teams we’re expecting a great game filled with a lot of tries.”
The elite Rebels players previously helped raise $15,000 for the QLD and VIC flood appeals when RaboDirect pledged to donate $3,000 per try scored during the pre season game against the Crusaders at the beginning of the month.
“The players helped support the QLD and VIC flood victims before and they’re keen to help again. We wanted to be aligned with a team that shared our values. It is important for us at RaboDirect to help those in need when we can and the Rebels have shown their commitment to that again.”
Winning the game would be a bonus for the Rebels but with five squad members being New Zealanders – Greg Somerville, Ged Robinson, Hoani Macdonald, Kevin O’Neill and Tom Chamberlain – tonight’s game will focus on tallying a substantial donation for the Christchurch earthquake victims.
Greg McAweeney said that donating to the victims of New Zealand was particularly significant to the cooperative bank, which has a strong agribusiness background and presence in the country.
A running tally on the big screen throughout the game will keep players and fans up to date with the total donation count. In the event of a low or zero try-scoring match, Greg McAweeney said RaboDirect will stand by its commitment to donate to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal and will reveal the total at the end of the match.
“An exciting game of Rugby resulting in a win would be great but when put in perspective of the tragedy in Christchurch what we’re really looking for are high numbers on that scoreboard when the final whistle blows. The RaboDirect Rebels’ players have risen to the challenge once and are keen to help again. We are calling on the Brumbies to rise to the challenge as well.”
The total donation will be presented at the conclusion of the match by Greg McAweeney to a selection of the native New Zealand players from the Rebels, who will accept the donation on behalf of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.
The commitment by RaboDirect is additional to a donation by Rabobank, RaboDirect’s parent company, of $100,000 towards the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.
